i rolled into Methods of language Research or MPB (worth 4 credits) class back in the college years. did it simply because I wanted to .... travel.
alas, the class din go to Tidung nor Cirebon for field research.....
but years later came my time to visit this Maldives of Jakarta. Maladewa!
my heart din lie so din my face. i couldn't wait to pack things into my new 30 liters backpack and went straight to Muara Angke onboard the ship. i slept at 00.00 and woke up at 05.00. the alarm cut an ending of an exciting dream (well, i woke up smiling and eager) i couldnt remember. i was also happy for my new bag and sandals, also life vest and snorkel. and goggle
arriving at 6.45 and the engine had already been coughing constantly, I was relieved to see Marley's face, also others' which I recognised from previous trip: Rian's, Nya Nyu's, Ricka's, Titiw's, Tessa's, Anin's, Ime's, and later Nugi's. I also saw new friendly faces.
SAIL AWAY
half an hour later the boat set off and i tried to amuse myself with ever unreadable The Great Gatsby. i also tried to converse with Riri. She studied sea stars and is an avid diver. but then i yawned and yawned. the conversation was interesting but my eyes just wouldnt tolerate. so i excused myself and laid asleep for the next 2 hrs. i woke up and abt 30 min later the boat kissed the pier. i made some acquaintances and got ready for lunch and bike.
BIKE
It took a boring moment for the delivery of the bikes. i felt fatigued and wanted to do it (biking) without further ado. the bikes finally arrived and everyone got one. i took the lead. the tracks were exciting: tall grasses, masses of coconut trees and occasional sharp surprises of pandanus leaves. it was fun that i din realize the front tire has flatten!
(photo Matt Rahmat)
there i went, heading to the wooden bridge. i couldnt count how many coconut trees were "sacrificed" to make it. it's in the poor condition, some planks disappeared and it is weathered down so to speak. there were workers dragging concrete columns. they are replacing the planks with those slender pieces. the water under the bridge is crystal clear and the visibility is high. grasslike vegetations thrive in the shallow water and near the orange boat grow a cluster of broocoli like reefs. superb!
PLUNG
i plunged into the sea in the afternoon, day 1. the visibility was about 1.5 m (sun was setting) and the temperature of the water varied: warm, cold, lukewarm within meters. it was great to try my life vest for the first time.
exhausted from biking and diving (I rode with front tire entirely flat!), i ate much. the grilled tongkol (of tuna family) tasted so good. crisp outside, tender and smoky inside. and the taste of the sambal was terrific! the hostess also cooked us a huge pile of scallop (kerang darah), caramelized.
DAY 2
in the morning we rode again (i got a new bike) in search of sunny side up and its golden rays. we arrived ath the bridge at 6.00 and later we got the sunrise show, followed by a morning meal delivered to us: simple dish of rice, kerupuk, and fried egg, sambal and hot tea.
we biked to the tomb of a local warrior, the first settler of the island. it was faithfully guarded by an old man people call Engkong. he's got a big cat and clean front yard. then we walked to the beach and the bladelike grass greeted my bare leg. funny though. i combed the beach with Adrian and found some spot full of sea stars! amazing. five points and all i remember was my conversation with Riri. I spotted their eyes!
Adrian and I took some plung at the edge of the reefy beach. shallow waters with full of corals, colorful and most of them were new to my eyes. love it!
despite some bruises and cuts I loved the experience. so i raise my glass again for MPB and again for the islands!
